Collapsible bookcase

ABSTRACT

The disclosed collapsible bookcase has generally rigid planar rear and side panels, and first couplings provided between them operable to pivot the side panels approximately 270 degrees between a collapsed condition with the side panels closely adjacent and generally parallel to the rear side of the rear panel and a set-up condition with the side panels angled normal to and forwardly away from the front side of the rear panels. Generally rigid planar shelves are pivoted by second couplings between the rear ends of the shelves and the rear panels operable to pivot the shelves approximately 90 degrees between a collapsed condition having the shelves adjacent and generally parallel to the front side of the rear panel and a set-up condition extended between the end panels and at different vertical spacings from one another. Supports between the end panels and shelves hold them in the set-up condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bookcases commonly have peripheral structural components rigidly connected together end-to-end, with a transversely extended rear structural components connected to the peripheral components at their rear edges. Vertically spaced shelve components are supported by the peripheral and/or rear components, frequently being adjustable to different vertical separations. However, the rigidly connected peripheral and rear structural components define a bookcase having a bulky hollowed out shape, making it difficult for transfer or storage even though it may not be heavy.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide a collapsible bookcase fabricated from separate generally planar peripheral, rear and shelf components, with couplings on the components pivoting them together for being shifted between a rigid set-up bookcase condition and a collapsed condition where the components are compactly arranged for easy transfer or storage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bookcase according to the previous object where each planar component and its couplings are integrally made of injection molded plastic, allowing for quick and easy component assembly and pivotal movement between the set-up and collapsed conditions.

One feature of the invention provides that the bookcase side peripheral components are pivotally connected at their rear edges to the side edges of the rear peripheral component, and are in the set-up condition projected forwardly and generally normal to the rear component and are pivoted approximately 270 degrees therefrom to the collapsed condition disposed generally parallel to and adjacent the rear face of the rear component.

Another feature of the invention provides that the bookcase shelve components are pivotally connected to the rear component at vertically spaced locations, and in the set-up bookcase condition are projected forwardly and generally normal to the rear component and are pivoted approximately 90 degrees therefrom to the collapsed bookcase condition disposed generally parallel to and adjacent the front face of the rear component.

Another feature of the invention provides a bookcase design that allow several like bookcases to be stacked vertically on top of one another so as to become laterally interlocked for forming a composite bookcase having the cumulative shelf total and vertical shelf separations of the separate bookcases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ILLUSTRATING THE INVENTION

These and other objects and features of this invention can be more fully understood and appreciated after reviewing the following specification, including as a part thereof the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the improved bookcase, shown in the opened or set-up position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bookcase, showing also in phantom the side peripheral panels in the collapsed position against the rear side of the back peripheral panel;

FIG. 3A is a sectional view as seen generally from lines 3-3 in FIG. 1, showing also in phantom the shelf components in the collapsed position against the front side of the back panel;

FIG. 3B is side elevational view of the bookcase in the collapsed position, with the shelf components against the front side of the back panel and the side panels against the rear side of the back panel;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as seen generally from lines 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views as seen respectively from lines 5-5 and 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view as seen generally from lines 7-7 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an elevational view as seen generally from lines 8-8 in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The bookcase 10, as illustrated in the set-up condition in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A, has separate components comprised of a vertical rear panel 12, vertical side panels 14, 15 forwardly extended from the rear panel 12, and upper and lower shelves 16, 17 extended forwardly from the rear panel 12 and laterally between the spaced side panels 14, 15. The bottoms 19 of the side and rear panels lie along a common plane normal to these panels, whereupon the bookcase 10 can upstand vertically from any flat horizontal surface, such as a floor, desk top or the like. The top sides 18 of the shelves 16, 17 will then face upwardly for holding objects thereon.

The disclosed bookcase 10 has couplings 20, 30 that pivotally connect the separate framing and shelf components 12 and 14-17 relative to one another, while allowing them to be shifted between the set-up condition of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A and a collapsed condition of FIG. 3B, and has supports 40 that interlock and hold the components in the set-up condition. FIGS. 2 and 3A also show in phantom the side panels and shelves, respectively, in the collapsed conditions.

Each coupling 20, 30 might be comprised of an open-sided semi-cylindrical socket formed on one component suited to be snapped over somewhat as a detent a cylindrical shaft formed on the other component, for accommodating component rotation.

More specifically, three axially separated couplings 20 pivot each shelf to the rear panel 12, allowing approximately 90 degrees shelf rotation (see arcs 21 in FIG. 3A) between the set-up and collapsed conditions, with shelf rear edge 26 forwardly spaced from rear panel front side 22. The couplings 20 of the two shelves 16, 17 might be separated vertically by a distance greater than the front-to-rear depth of lower shelf 17, so that the collapsed shelves lie parallel to the rear panel 12 and coplanar with one another, with each shelf top side 18 generally flat against the rear panel front side 22. The couplings 20 for the upper shelf 17 further might be located to have the collapsed upper shelf front edge 23 line up even with or below the rear panel top edge 24.

Also, three axially separated couplings 30 pivot the side panels 14, 15 to the rear panel 12, allowing side panel rotation of approximately 270 degrees (see arcs 31 in FIGS. 2, 7) to shift between the set-up and collapsed conditions. In the collapsed condition (FIG. 2 in phantom, and FIG. 7), the side panels 14, 15 lie generally parallel to the rear panel 12 and coplanar with each other, with the side panel front edges 32 being laterally spaced apart and each side panel outer side 33 substantially against the rear panel back side 34. The top edges 24, 35, of the rear 12 and side panels 14, 15 preferably would be coplanar in both the set-up and collapsed conditions and parallel to the bottom edges 19 of these panels.

The supports 40 (FIGS. 4, 5, 6) project inwardly from each side panel to vertically underlie and support each shelf in the set-up condition, whereas the shelf side edges 37 otherwise might be spaced inwardly from the side panel inner sides 38.

The collapsed shelves 16, 17 and side panels 14, 15 preferably might lie substantially flat against the opposite respective front and rear sides 22, 34 of the rear panel 12, to have the collapsed bookcase 10 (see FIG. 3B) compact compared to the set-up bookcase (see FIG. 3A), with an overall thickness only slightly more than the cumulative thickness of the stacked components 12, 14-17. This makes the compact collapsed bookcase 10 particularly suited for convenient transfer or storage.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B show the components 12 and 14-17 without details, appearing generally as solid and planar. As a preferred embodiment will have each panel or shelf component injection molded of durable plastic, with the couplings and support being integral therewith, more detailed panel, coupling and support constructions are illustrated in FIGS. 4-8.

Thus, each panel and shelf component might have a main generally planar portion interrupted by spaced interior openings, with flanges angled off of the main planar portion at its perimeter edge and at the edges of its interior openings, to add load carrying capacity and resistance against bending.

Specifically, the rear panel 12 might have main planar portion 45 interrupted by interior openings 46, with perimeter flange 47 and opening flanges 48 formed off of the main planar portion. Each side panel 14, 15 might have main planar portion 50 interrupted by interior openings 51, with perimeter flange 52 and opening flanges 53 formed off of the main portion 50. Each shelf 16, 17 might have main planar portion 55 interrupted by interior openings 56, with perimeter flange 57 and opening flanges 58 formed off of the main portion 55. The shelves can be identical, while the side panels are mirror or right and left hand images of one another.

Each coupling 20 might have its socket 62 formed on the shelf, closely adjacent the rear side 26, and its shaft 63 formed on the rear panel forwardly of the rear front side 22. The socket 62 opens downwardly from the shelf underside suited to overlie shaft 63, for carrying load on the set-up shelf. Each shelf socket 62 can be supported by webs 64 extended rearwardly from the rear perimeter flange 57, while each rear panel shaft 63 can be supported by webs 65 extended forwardly from the rear panel main planar portion 45. The exterior shelf flange 57 is irregularly tracked forwardly of the shelf to center the socket 62 within the regular shelf bounds. Proper center spacings of the socket below the shelf upper side 18 and the shaft forwardly from the rear panel front side allow the upper side 18 of the collapsed shelf to lie substantially flat against the rear panel front side 22.

Each coupling 30 might have its socket 72 formed on the side panel, opening toward the side panel outward side, and its shaft 73 formed on the rear panel. The socket 72 thus overlies the shaft 73 for withstanding sideways separating forces away from the rear panel. Each side panel socket 72 can be supported by webs 74 extended rearwardly from the rear perimeter flange 52, while each rear panel shaft 73 can be supported by the exterior flange 47 centered along the rear panel rear side 34, the flange 47 being irregularly tracked inwardly to form space for receiving the side panel socket. With the socket and pin centers on the planes defined along the side panel outer side 33 and the rear panel rear side 22, the side panel outward side 33 can lie generally flat against the rear panel rear side 22 when the bookcase is collapsed or closed.

Each support 40 can include a tubular flange 76 inwardly formed from the end panel planar portion 50, with an underlying reinforcing web 77 therebetween. The support 40 might comprise ledge 78 inwardly projecting beyond the side panel inner side 38, suited to underlie and support shelf perimeter flange 57 in the set-up condition. An upstanding ledge lip 79 spaced from side panel inner side 38 a distance slightly exceeding the thickness of the shelf perimeter flange can engage and laterally contain each set-up side panel relative to the support 40.

The disclosed bookcase has only two shelves, but contours on the bottom and top edges of the side and rear panels allow the stable stacking of like bookcases for forming a four or even six shelf bookcases. FIGS. 4 and 6 show two stacked bookcases 10, 10A, interlocked by centered longitudinal rib 81 upstanding from the top of each side and rear panel and laterally spaced edge ribs 83 projected downwardly from the panel bottom edges.

While specific structures have been disclosed, modifications could be made to the bookcase without departing from the inventive spirit. Consequently, the invention is to be defined by the scope of the following claims. 

1. A collapsible bookcase comprising generally rigid planar rear and side panels, and first couplings provided between the rear and side panels operable to pivot them approximately 270 degrees between a set-up condition having the side panels angled forwardly away from the front side of the rear panels and a collapsed condition having the side panels arranged in side by side association closely adjacent and generally parallel to the rear side of the rear panel; generally rigid planar shelves, and second couplings provided between the rear ends of the shelves and the rear panels and in alignment between the side panels and at different spacings from one another, operable to pivot the shelves approximately 90 degrees between a set-up condition having them angled forwardly away from the front side of the rear panels and a collapsed condition having them arranged in side by side association closely adjacent and generally parallel to the front side of the rear panel; and supports provided between the side panels and shelves operable to hold them in the set-up condition.
 2. A collapsible bookcase according to claim 1, further comprising the first and second couplings and said supports each consisting of complementary sections integrally formed
 3. A collapsible bookcase according to claim 1, further comprising the first couplings being proximate the sides of the rear panel and proximate the rear of each side panel.
 4. A collapsible bookcase according to claim 1, further comprising the supports being on the forward edge of each side panel and underlying and interlocking with forward edges of each shelf.
 5. A collapsible bookcase according to claim 1, further comprising the first couplings being proximate the side edges of the rear panel and proximate the rearward edge of each side panel, and the supports being on the forward edge of each side panel and underlying and interlocking with forward edges of each shelf.
 6. A collapsible bookcase according to claim 5, further comprising the first and second couplings and said supports each being integrally formed respectively on the paired panels, and on the panel cooperating with the shelf.
 7. A collapsible bookcase according to claim 1, further comprising complementary nesting structures on top and bottom edges of the rear and side panels suited to allow like collapsible bookcases to be stacked vertically on one another with the structures suitably nested.
 8. A collapsible bookcase according to claim 6, further comprising complementary nesting structures on top and bottom edges of the rear and side panels suited to allow like collapsible bookcases to be stacked vertically on one another with the structures suitably nested.
 9. A collapsible bookcase according to claim 8, further comprising the first and second couplings and said supports each being integrally formed respectively on the paired panels, and on the panel cooperating with the shelf. 